The Schengen Agreement is set to be hosted by Luxembourg in the near future. - Schengen Accord to Be Sailed to Luxembourg in the Near Future
Renovated Ship Carrying Schengen Agreement Heads Back to Luxembourg
The "Princess Marie-Astrid Europa," the ship where the Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985, is scheduled to make a journey back to Luxembourg's town of Schengen on June 6. Following comprehensive renovations and modernization, the ship will depart from a shipyard in Niederkassel near Bonn.
The ship is planned to arrive in Schengen on June 14, marking the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement's signing. A ceremonial welcome awaits it in the small border village, with a celebration slated for the anniversary day. Prominent figures, including Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, are expected to attend.
The newly refurbished European Museum in Schengen will simultaneously reopen, featuring the ship as a significant exhibit in its new exhibition. A pier will also be constructed to moor the historic vessel. Preliminary estimates suggest the project's total costs will amount to approximately 17.7 million euros.
Upon arrival, the "Princess Marie-Astrid Europa" will find a permanent home in Schengen, and it will host an on-board exhibition. The Luxembourg government purchased the ship, previously operational as a passenger vessel on the Danube, in 2021. The refurbishment, exhibition, and related costs are around ten million euros, as announced by the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy to the German Press Agency.
The Schengen Agreement, whose signing made the Luxembourgish village globally recognized, aimed to progressively eliminate border controls between Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Today, the Schengen area comprises 29 countries with around 420 million inhabitants.
Criticism concerning border controls has arisen, particularly in the tri-border region, due to the recent reintroduction of border checks at all German external borders since mid-September 2024. Over 50,000 German border commuters are employed in Luxembourg, prompting the country to lodge an objection against the extension of controls with the European Commission in February.
The renovated ship, the "Princess Marie-Astrid Europa", is set to establish a link between the community policy of outdoor-living and home-and-garden, as it will house an on-board exhibition showcasing the lifestyle of the past. The exhibition, integrated within the employment policy on the ship, will depict the significance of the Schengen Agreement, a policy that has shaped the lives of millions in Europe for the past four decades.
